Oil Beetle (Noun)
Meaning
Any of various beetles that exude an oily substance from the leg joints that deters enemies.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The peculiar defense mechanism of the oil beetle involves releasing its oily secretion when sensing danger from potential predators.
- Some farmers appreciate the oil beetle's beneficial role in controlling aphid and weed populations in gardens.
- Entomologists discovered over a thousand species of oil beetles, many with vibrant color patterns warning of their foul-tasting secretions.
- Among the known specimens in the museum collection were oil beetles distinctively marked with red warning signals on their backs.
- Given their ability to resist certain insecticides, research scientists have been particularly interested in the biology of oil beetles.